About

$27,612

pledged of $23,500 goal

492

backers

We've created this Kickstarter to make possible a unique performance art project, and the documentary film about it that's already underway. Please be sure to read the note at the bottom of this project description about joining our "Sunset Piano Secret Society".

Opus One:Mauro ffortissimo is a northern California artist and musician. In February 2013 he brought a grand piano to a bluff overlooking the Pacific and played during every sunset for two weeks. It struck a nerve, and thousands of people came. So did the media (Google "Sunset Piano" and see what happens...more links below). By Valentines day, Sunset Piano was something of an international phenomena. When asked why he did it, Mauro said, "I wanted to play for the whales".

Opus Two:In early July, Mauro is deploying twelve pianos at select locations along the beautiful San Mateo coastline. Anyone can come and play a piano by the sea, anytime. He's inviting some incredible bay area musicians to join him in bringing attention to the fragile state of the world's oceans, as well as the near extinction of the "personal" piano. Piano manufacturing has dwindled, and the neglect of acoustic pianos has caused thousands of them to end up in landfills. The "Twelve Pianos" project will focus the spotlight on two species with uncertain futures.

The pianos will remain for approximately two weeks, or until the powers that be force their removal. We hope you'll join our campaign to learn more and to show your support for this unusual guerrilla art project.

Why the money? Our budget includes the following expenses:Piano acquisition and movingRepairs and tuning Piano maintenance and protection during installationEquipment and truck rentalsMoving crewRewards expenses ~and~Film production and post productionFilm by Dean Mermell www.storyfarm.tv

We've already spent a lot of money out of pocket, and films being what they are, we're really hoping this campaign is wildly successful and vastly overfunded, because hopefully that means we'll have enough!

~ The Sunset Piano Secret Society ~Any donation to our mad cause automatically enrolls you as a member of our secret organization. Locations of Sunset Pianos will not be made public, however members will receive a map of their locations. Spend a day or two touring the installations. Members will also receive updates about specific times and locations of performances by well known bay area musicians and other "piano happenings", as well as updates to the project as they happen.

Risks and challenges

While it may seem relatively straightforward to drag a piano (or twelve) to a bluff overlooking the sea, there are a lot of logistics involved. Believe it or not, this action resides in a gray area that may not be considered strictly legal. However, we are committed to doing everything in a totally environmentally responsible manner and to leave no trace.

Filming and recording sound in these conditions is a challenge. We are all geared up with high end equipment and a stellar, award-winning crew that's eager to bring this event to a screen near you. We are aiming at a one hour documentary that will spotlight both the fragility of our watery world, and what appears to be the silent passing of the craft of one of the west's greatest inventions; the acoustic piano.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $30 or more
About $30

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, a digital download of the photo book, Sunset Piano (Opus One), by Lars Howlett, plus a digital download of music from the film (August delivery estimated for the download).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $40 or more
About $40

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, a digital download of the photo book, Sunset Piano (Opus One), by Lars Howlett, a digital download of music from the film (August est.) and a Sunset Piano T shirt.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, a digital download of the photo book, Sunset Piano (Opus One), by Lars Howlett, a digital download of music from the film (August est.) and a digital download of the film, "Twelve Pianos" (est. completion Dec. 2013)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, a digital download of the photo book, Sunset Piano (Opus One), by Lars Howlett, a digital download of music from the film (August est.) a digital download of the film, "Twelve Pianos" (est. completion Dec. 2013), and a Sunset Piano T shirt.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, digital download of music from the film (August est.) a digital download of the film when complete, T shirt, and a paperback version of the photo book, Sunset Piano (Opus One), by Lars Howlett.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, digital download of music from the film (August est.) a digital download of the film when complete, T shirt, and a paperback version of the Sunset Piano book, and a small (6"x9") original drawing by Mauro (August est.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, digital download of music from the film (August est.) a digital download of the film when complete, T shirt, and a paperback version of the Sunset Piano book, and a medium (9"x12") original drawing by Mauro (August est.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, digital download of music from the film (August est.) a digital download of the film when complete, T shirt, and a paperback version of the Sunset Piano book, and a large (18"x30") original drawing by Mauro (August est.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, digital download of music from the film (August est.) a digital download of the film when complete, T shirt, and a large hard cover copy of the photo book Sunset Piano by Lars Howlett, with original 6"x9" art insert by Mauro (August est.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, digital download of music from the film (August est.) a digital download of the film when complete, T shirt, and a large hard cover copy of the photo book Sunset Piano by Lars Howlett, with original 6'x9" art insert by Mauro (August est.), plus dinner for two and a concert at Enso, in Half Moon Bay (est. September)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $3,000 or more
About $3,000

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, digital download of music from the film (August est.) a digital download of the film when complete, T shirt, and a large hard cover copy of the photo book Sunset Piano by Lars Howlett, with original 6"x9" art insert by Mauro (August est.), plus dinner for two and a concert at Enso, in Half Moon Bay (est. September), PLUS an upright piano from the film, covered with hand painted original art by Mauro. Local bay area delivery only, unless other arrangements are made (piano will be tuned as able given its exposure to the elements). Piano delivery est. Oct 2013

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

Membership in the SPSS, a credit in the film, a sticker, digital download of music from the film (August est.) a digital download of the film when complete, T shirt, and a large hard cover copy of the photo book Sunset Piano by Lars Howlett, with original 6"x9" art insert by Mauro (August est.), plus dinner for two and a concert at Enso, in Half Moon Bay (est. September), PLUS a baby grand piano from the film, covered with hand painted original art by Mauro. Local bay area delivery only, unless other arrangements are made (piano will be tuned as able given its exposure to the elements). Piano delivery est. Oct 2013

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

All the perks plus the charred remains of the grand piano from Sunset Piano Opus One, a stunning large sculptural piece. Local bay area delivery only, unless other arrangements are made. All delivery deadlines for other rewards apply.